Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced many R&D tax changes in his Autumn Budget, including how the funding is allocated, which will be implemented in April. He announced changes to the rates paid by the Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC) for larger firms and the small and medium enterprises (SME) R&D relief scheme. Under these changes, […]

People planning to claim the UK state pension have been advised to check their National Insurance (NI) record to identify any shortfalls in their payment history. NI contributions, or lack of them, can affect a person’s entitlement to the state pension in later life. A temporary window which allows people to voluntarily top up NI contributions for […]

It is that stressful time of year again with the payroll year-end fast approaching. Payroll year-end ties in with the tax year-end, which is 5 April. The deadline for submitting details to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is 31 May. Important dates around payroll year-end include: 5 April – End of the 2022/23 tax year […]

Small business owners need to take measures to avoid costly mistakes when it comes to calculating, reporting and paying Value Added Tax (VAT). The best way to prevent errors and stay on the right side of HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is to have an expert take care of your VAT affairs. Having a qualified […]

Business plans provide goals to work towards, help identify potential problems, give insight into competitors, and highlight potential opportunities. A great business plan should include a concept, strategy, executive summary, market analysis, competitor analysis, the company’s financials and a clear action plan. Concept This part of the business plan is usually broken down into three […]

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment (MTD for ITSA) will now come into effect in April 2026 for businesses, self-employed individuals, and landlords with gross business and/or property income over £50,000. This will be followed in April 2027 for those with similar incomes over £30,000. The question is, how soon should your business start using cloud-based compatible […]

With the end of the tax year fast approaching on 5 April, it makes sense to assess your tax situation and make use of the reliefs and allowances available to you. Here are a few quick wins you can consider to help reduce your liabilities now and in the future: Inheritance Tax (IHT) Each tax […]

With the Spring Budget looming in March, it is easy to be tempted to delay tax planning until afterwards in hopes of favourable tax cuts. However, the Chancellor has made it clear that significant cuts to taxation aren’t likely to be in his speech and so businesses should be taking steps now to prepare for […]

Your business may be sailing along quite nicely, or it may be struggling with the effects of shortages, rising prices and an energy crisis. In both cases could be time to step back and reflect on where you are, develop what has worked and abandon methods that don’t. It is time to plan out a […]